Ebola Death Toll Nears 5,000 as Virus Advances

The Ebola epidemic’s death toll has climbed to at least 4,922 out of 10,141 known cases in eight countries, the World Health Organization reported Saturday.

The count reflected data through Thursday, WHO said. One of the virus’ most recent victims was a 2-year-old Mali girl who died Friday after returning from a trip to neighboring Guinea, Mali health officials said. The toddler became Mali’s first confirmed Ebola casualty.

Diplomatic sources have expressed concern about the ability of Mali, one of the world’s poorest countries, to contain an outbreak. The WHO said the girl and her family traveled through the country by bus and warned that many passengers could be in danger of contracting the disease. Some 43 people already are being monitored.

The contagion also threatens Ivory Coast, the world’s biggest cocoa producer, Reuters news agency reported.

Source: VOA